Abstract: A monitoring and control system for use with a decorative heating appliance such as a fireplace, stove, or fireplace insert. The monitoring and control system includes a sensor module, a computer system, a controller, and a communication system. The sensor module is configured to monitor a burner, gas valve, and ignition system of the heating appliance and generate monitoring signals. The controller is configured to generate fault condition signals based on the monitoring signals. The communication system is configured to communicate the fault condition signals to the computer system, wherein the computer system is located remotely from a living space within which the heating appliance resides. The computer system is configured to generate control signals in response to predetermined fault condition signals and communicate those signals to the controller via the communication system for control of at least one of the burner, gas valve, and ignition system or other functions of the heating appliance.